Category: Michael D
Movie Quotes to Ponder
While my companion has been away I watched a film that I really like, Kingdom of Heaven. There are several quotes from the film that are worth pondering specifically in this time in American culture when the politicians and many of the super wealthy are behaving in the mode of “economic nobility” aided by some within Christendom that desire a Christian theocracy that resembles Taliban rule. The super wealthy and multi-national corporations are extracting wealth from common people in much the same way that some in nobility did centuries ago. These that would be knights by their wealth have a greater responsibility and they are mostly failing the common good. How are the Republicans doing the peoples business? They are becoming wealthy and apparently powerful at the expense of the working, the working poor, and the poor in order to create business that can charge me to drive on public roads, charge me to cross public bridges, and raise rates for water and electricity all of which the public should own. Those that would get Mr. Romney elected what will they be seeking from their anonymous investment to purchase all three branches of government? How will they continue to divide this nation to benefit their bank accounts? Where are the knights that stand for the people and that stand for justice? There are some politicians, Democrats and Republicans, at the local, state, and federal levels that know what is right, but cannot find the will to do because some consultant said they would get challenged in a primary. Is the public that easily bought, cynical, or distracted? The multi-national corporations and super wealthy are doing what they always do. Divide people by race, religion, and nationality. What has Mr. Romney done to make the world better for anyone other than himself, his family or his Mormon faith? One thing that I know of is health care for the residents in Massachusetts, but he is not claiming that.
A few of my favorite quotes from, Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
Nemo vir est qui mundum non reddat meliorem: What man is a man who does not make the world better?
Godfrey of Ibelin (talking to his new found adult son about the oath of a knight): Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong. That is your oath.
Godfrey of Ibelin: [slaps Balian with the back of his hand] And that’s so you remember it.
Hospitaller (a member of the Templar order and religious servant of Godfrey of Ibelin speaking to Balian of Ibelin about Christianity and religion): I put no stock in religion. By the word religion I have seen the lunacy of fanatics of every denomination be called the will of god. I have seen too much religion in the eyes of too many murderers. Holiness is in right action, and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves, and goodness. What god desires is here [points to head] and here [points to heart] and what you decide to do every day, you will be a good man – or not.
Godfrey of Ibelin (talking to his new found son, Balian of Ibelin): You are not what you were born, but what you have it in yourself to be.
Paragraphs from SSCSJ
Psalm 23
One final exegetical insight that could also enhance the depth of this psalm is how people today tend to envision a “shepherd”, namely as always a male. This predominant image is encouraged by the connection between Ps 23 and David made in the psalm’s superscription. Even though modern biblical scholarship understands that the phrase “le’david” is not a by-line, or even a claim that David wrote this psalm, still the presence of his name immediately evokes the stories about David’s being a shepherd. Thus, the reader/hearer of Ps 23 envisions a man as the author of this psalm as well as a male deity. However, a close read of some other stories in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in Genesis and Exodus, reveal that females (specifically: Rachel in Gen 29 and Zipporah in Exod 2) also tended flocks, making them shepherds as well. The Divine Shepherd in Ps 23 could just as easily be female as well. Preaching on Ps 23 provides a great opportunity to refurbish an old image of God.
2 Samuel 7:1-14a
This dream continued and strengthened during the Roman period as well. Some within the Jewish community were praying for God’s anointed one to come and overthrow the Romans and reclaim the throne. It was this idea that lies behind some of the gospels (i.e., Matthew and Luke), as the writers go to great lengths to show how Jesus was of the “house of David”. Of course, Jesus had no political aspirations and died under Roman rule. Like the DH, the gospels and epistles were written to explain another disappointment and to find meaning within the life and teachings of the prophet from Nazareth. Thus, the Davidic Covenant still remained unfulfilled; however, rather than taking the political propaganda created by the DH writers as literal, we can see that this covenant, along with all the others God makes with humans throughout the bible, is more about relationship and Divine presence than about Divine favoritism or guarantees of rewards for faithfulness. Inherent in all of creation, and especially within humans (the only part of creation to be made in God’s image), is a Divine promise to be with us in good and bad times, when we are faithful and when we are not, even until the last breath we take and beyond. God keeps covenants, and that is one of the core themes of the 1st Testament (and of the whole canon).
Ephesians 2:11-22
It can be imagined that hearing this text read aloud in a home in Ephesus might sound like an argument stating that the ways of Jesus are different from that of the Roman Empire.4 The peace created and offered through Christ Jesus is different from what the Roman Empire offers through conquest and assimilation into the Roman worldview.5 Similar struggles for identity, loyalties, and unity exist in secular and religious life today.
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
One way to translate this text for children would be to think about a child’s day and the importance of a structured “nap.” Too long a nap makes children restless for their usual bedtime and too short does not help them continue with their day. Where the disciples excited, but tired and cranky? Could they talk about anything other than themselves and their success? Somewhere along the way of growing up, we’ve lost the importance of “napping” for our physical and mental well being. Many persons use the internet or other distractions as “mindless” napping, but continue the stimulation of being awake. Hobbies are another way of thinking about “come away and rest” time. We can drive children or ourselves into such confined routines or sports that we may not develop fully other gifts or skills needed to navigate life.